Head shaking

[DozeyTwonk]

My springer has started shaking head, usually in the morning. No obvious pain, swelling, discharge. Not happening all day but more pronounced when excited. Thinking or trying stinky stuff for ears but wondered if I could make my own potion - basically stinky stuff is olive/coconut oil and nigella. I am loathe to spend on the vet at this stage so wanted to try something at home. Any advice welcome.

[Xiaoxiong]

When DDog started doing this exactly at this point last year it turned out to be a 2 inch grass seed down her ear canal that had probably been there since the summer - I took her to the vet three times, did ear drops, etc etc and finally it wasn't until she was sedated for something else that they managed to have a proper look down there beyond the "dog leg" in her ear canal and saw it. It was working its way down and had partially ruptured her eardrum by that point, caused huge disruption and expense just before Christmas!!

[Jellyshoeswithdiamonds]

You could try a pinch of Thornit.

[Costacoffeeplease]

Yes most probably a seed of some sort, I think it’s probably in too far if you can’t see it, and therefore it’s a job for the vet. One of ours had a massive grass seed, the kind that look like an arrow with lots of pointed sharp leaves. We’d never have got it out as it was so deep and was sticking to the inside of his ear

[TwattingDog]

Yep, likely something in the ear canal. It will need looking at. By a vet.

[DozeyTwonk]

Thanks everyone - bugger though - why does this always happen before Xmas! I just thought that I was getting ahead of the debt curve. Off to the vet then

[Bigsighall]

Agree with the grass seed... same happened to my spaniel. No swelling etc but wouldn’t stop shaking his head. Was impressed with the vet who just got a huge pair of tweezer things and got it out. No sedation etc so appointment was only about £40

[LadyGuffers]

Ear infection or something in the ear. For the love of god go straight to the vet. Spaniel ear infections can be absolutely awful to shift and you do not want to delay or risk it getting worse, if that's what it is.

Our dog's took six months and £2000 to get on top of.